EagleBeaver

Dues are an opportunity for a scout to manage some money and keep a commitment.

For those parents that are really paying the scout's dues for him and prefer to make one payment and not worry about it, I would suggest that they make the payment to their scout and then let him manage the money.

For ahull's plan, I would have a hard time understanding why I'm in debt when I haven't done anything yet. And, why I have to subsidize an event that I am not even going on or did not go on. Other than that, having an account for each scout should work fine and getting a budget together first is great.

Scout On

One of the duties of our Scribe is to publish a monthly newsletter. It is posted on the website and emailed to the troop. It usually contains recap of recent events and news, scheduled upcoming events, and a note from the Scoutmaster.

All our communication is electronic or phone. We do not use paper for communications, only for permission slips and training materials.

Scout On,

Paul

In our troop, scouts are encouraged to:

1. check the box on the left and put the date by it when they complete the requirement if it can not be immediately signed off.

2. have SM or designee initial and LEGIBLY date on the right. Having a legible date is important for record keeping.

3. Use the record keeping aids throughout the book to track campouts attended, service hours earned, merit badges completed, ... that are all difficult to remember months after they happen.

Scout On,

Paul

Bummer. But, there's 5 months to recruit scouts before the Webelos finish up in the spring!

Our troop attended an open house type event last fall. The idea was that Webelos would come and check out each troop. Great idea, lots of boy scouts, but only a handful of Webelos.

You didn't ask for anything, but some of this might be useful...

Reaching the cub scouts BEFORE they finish Webelos has been a big help to us. The past 2 years our SPL has visited each Webelos den at one of their fall den meetings to describe Boy Scouts and answer questions - LOTS of questions. :-) This spring, we had 3 new scout patrols and I believe it is about 90% due to the fact that they had visited us and had 'the boss' meet with them on their home turf.

I'm assuming with your small troop size that you aren't able to supply a pack with a Den Chief, but that would be even better. If you got a Boy Scout into a Webelos II den for the next 5 months, that could make a big difference in the cross-over rate.

For my part as scoutmaster, I've recently sent email to the Cubmaster and Webelos den leaders letting them know I am here to assist their Webelos in earning their Arrow of Light. I'm available for any questions they have about boy scouts and our troop, our boy leaders are available to visit their dens any time, and they are welcome at our troop meetings and Courts of Honor. I included our schedule in the mail. At the next Roundtable, my agenda is to seek out the Cubmaster and ask how Joing Scouting night went and follow up with my offer to assist her Webelos den leaders. Then, I will call the den leaders I did not hear back from.

I believe that a concentrated effort to convince your existing scouts to recruit their friends could pay off handsomely. With our growing pains, finding more scouts is not a big concern to the scouts, but there are 2 that are inviting a friend to this month's campout.

Offering your scouts to help with the Pack's Pinewood Derby or doing a flag-in at their first Pack meeting or a skit or anything that the Pack might need will get your scouts in front of the Webelos and provide a service.

Scout On,

Paul

If you feel the DL will fail, then do not send him out alone. If you expect him to fail and he does fail, all the scouts that were let down (and their families) have you to blame. If the den does not start until someone steps up to help, then they only have themselves to blame.

I was the DL for 11 Bears and we had a great time. I had an assistant DL but I also had a schedule for the year and had each family sign up to organize the outing and den meeting for just one month. I provided them with planning helpers and the scout worked with his mom/dad to set things up.

Scout On,

Paul

PS: See http://www.boyscouttrail.com/cub-scouts/wolf-scout-schedule.asp for a schedule or http://www.scouting.org/forms/33826.pdf for a meeting planner.

A local TV station here in MN has organized a relief drive and I got word of it at the Thursday night Roundtable. They needed workers to unload donations from cars onto pallets and then into semi trucks. I sent email to the troop about it Thursday night and instructed them to contact their Patrol Leader if they were in town and interested in helping.

I was pretty surprised by the response. Volunteering as patrols since Friday morning, about 20 scouts have put in around 200 hours and sent 8 semis down the road heading south. One of our NSPs is heading back to load some more in about a half hour. :-)

We know its not much, but its something. It has been a great eye-opener for many scouts to see just how generous people can be when there is a need. Quite a few "Wow, did you see how much water that lady dropped off?!" remarks through the weekend. And, 4 of our Eagles were there showing the other scouts that you help when you can, even if you don't need service hours for advancement.

Scout On,

Paul

In info I received after our trek this summer, it said ...

Individual Unit reservations for 2007 will take place during Oct and Nov using a web-based registration process. An information packet will be mailed to all interested units in early October, 2005. Request this packet by contacting Philmont at 505-376-2281 x225 or email camping@philmontscoutranch.org

I sent an email request and received back the same information that I received after the trek. :-) So, I'm waiting to receive more info in early Oct.

Arrival dates for 2007 12-day treks are June 8 through August 9. Cost for 12 day trek is $540 per person. Crew size is 7-12 members, including at least 2 leaders and no more than 4 leaders. Participants must be 14 by Jan. 1, 2007 OR be 13 and completed 8th grade prior to their trek date.

Scout On,

Paul

There's a couple dozen graces at http://www.boyscouttrail.com/graces.asp - you might find a few you like.

Scout On,

Paul

Attendees at our PLC meetings are: SPL, ASPL, Scribe, all Patrol Leaders, Troop Guides, Instructors.

Historian and Librarian are invited but usually come only when they have a specific agenda item.

The Scoutmaster also attends with one other adult.

Our troop guides stay in their regular patrol and have the flexibility to help their NSP cook and clean as needed. For easier meals or when the NSP gets the hang of it, then the guide leaves them alone. The NSP scouts are told that they can ask their guide for guidance and advice at any time. The troop guides attend NSP patrol meetings, teach skills, and sign off on advancement so cooking is a small part of their job effort.

This year we have 3 NSPs and all 3 troop guides are from the same patrol. Next year, I hope to have troop guides immune from regular patrol cooking/cleaning on those outings where they are guiding their NSP.

I've spent quite a bit of time instilling in the troop guides the importance of their assignment to the strength of the troop. They understand that the first 6 months will often make or break a scout so they take their role seriously. Much of the level of success depends on the attitude and skill level of the scout taking on the troop guide position.

Paul

We don't have adults in camp during the day because it is deserted. There just isn't 'free time' for scouts to sit in camp. Occasionally some adults will play a game of cribbage but they are usually roaming the camp, checking in sessions and talking with other scouters.

I'd really like to hear typical daily schedules at other camps. We just returned 47 scouts from Many Point Scout Camp on Saturday. At Many Point, there are 3 separate camps with multiple campsites in each - one has all meals in a dining hall, one has meals cooked at site but with the evening meal pre-cooked, one has food delivered to site and all cooking done by patrols. We do the last one.

Typical schedule:

6:30 - wake and breakfast

8:30 - assembly

8:40 - 1st merit badge session

9:40 - 2nd m.b. session or 1st Class Adventure

10:40 - 3rd m.b. session

11:30 - troop time for lunch

1:00 - troop activities (climbing wall, archery, rifle, ... different each day)

4:00 - 4th m.b. session or 1s Class aquatics

5:00 - troop time for dinner

7:00 - scout time to work on m.b.s or use camp resources (climbing, archery, ...)

9:30 - campfire

11:00 - lights out

Probably old news to many of you, but I just noticed the www.scoutstuff.org site now automatically redirects to the new 'buy online' site.

I guess its ready to roll now.

Paul

You also immediately get a printable card for completing Safety Afloat and Safe Swim Defense online training.

We go to the same week-long camp each year on the same week in July, decided every year by the scouts. The reservation is put in for the site a year ahead. If the scouts some day decide to go somewhere else, we'll just forfeit the reservation fee.

Scouts just last night turned in their merit badge selections which were handed out through the PLC at the beginning of this month.

Each patrol also turned in troop activity requests to the SPL last night and those activities getting the most votes are what we'll do.

First payment was due in April and final payment was due end of May.

As Scoutmaster, I have short training sessions for adults during each troop meeting in the spring. Summer camp is discussed during a couple of these sessions.

Paul

I think of the scouting program like my dogs' water dish. Growing up, my job was to keep the dish full. The dogs would come and drink what they needed as often as they needed - I just made sure it was never empty.

I feel that scouting is an optional adventure and the only boys asked to make a participation commitmet are those that take on leadership roles for a six month duration. The rest can 'drink' as much as they need.

Paul

I understand a service project to be some activity that provides a service to others and, in this case, promotes conservation. It seems to me that making a garbage bag would be a great den activity, but not a service project for the World Conservation award.

To earn this award, I took a Webelos den to a wild prairie with the US Fish & Wildlife to harvest prairie grass seed which the USFW then used to reclaim other areas. That den then taught the rest of their pack how to do it the next month when the whole pack did a seed harvesting project.

The 'old stand-bys' of cleaning a park or trail are easy to plan, get scouts outside, and have an obvious result when they see they've got a pile of garbage. Quick calls to the city parks program, US Forest Service, local churches, or school should provide an interesting project that fits your group size whatever it is.

Paul

Just an idea to share...

Eagledad mentioned 'individual independence' and that is one of the things we're working on in our troop.

Boy leader training includes the SM meeting with the new SPL for a short time right away and giving him a task to perform and report back when accomplished. Then, the SPL repeats that by giving each PL a task and report back.

We are pushing that down another level to each new scout by having the Troop Guide give each one a task and report back. Then, follow up with praise from the TG and SM and another task to perform. These first tasks are simple, such as 'call the SM for your Scout badge SM conference in the next 2 weeks' or 'choose one tenderfoot requirement, do it, and come to me to sign off by the next troop meeting'.

We've had good success with using this training for the troop leaders so the hope is it will work just as well on new scouts - so far it seems to. Just small first steps along the trail.

Paul

According to the BSA national site at http://www.scouting.org/identity/los/los.jsp?typ=los&wat=all

the ASPL is appointed by the SPL.

The ASPL has much more responsbility than just backing up the SPL. According to the Jr. Leader Training materials and position description, the ASPL trains and directs the scribe, librarian, historian, instructor, quartermaster, and chaplain aide. The SPL trains and directs all the Patrol Leaders.

The Scoutmaster should train the SPL and help him train the ASPL and then help both of them train the scouts under their direction, as needed. The training is important to teach skills, solidify the command hierarchy, and provide opportunities to lead. It is not a one shot deal - the training should be ongoing throughout the entire time in office with teaching, assigned tasks, and follow-up monitoring.

I have talked with scoutmasters from 3 local troops that have more than 1 ASPL. The real reason they had multiple ASPLs was to offer more leadership positions for scouts for advancement. I believe having more than 1 ASPL confuses the troop hierarchy and dilutes the leadership opportunity of the position. Since there are at least 13 positions of responsibility for advancement in a troop, I have yet to see the value in creating an artificial position by dividing up the duties of one position.

Paul

There are some AOL ceremonies that mention meanings for the rays...

http://www.scoutway.net/unit/pack6/arrow_of_light95.html

http://my.dmci.net/~dmanchester/Ceremonies/Arrow%20Of%20Light/BLUE_AND_GOLD_BANQUET_1P1.htm

Wisdom, Courage, Self control, Justice, Faith, Hope, Love.

Paul

- an identified rock sample. bonus if they know it is igneous, metamorphic, or sedimentary.

- cross-section of a log and age of the tree.

- sample 'leafs' from a coniferous tree and a deciduous trees.

- a fungus.

- piece of metal litter

- a seed

- a Y shaped branch

- a feather

- a lashed camp gadget

- braid something at least 6 inches from grass, bark, ...

Things your scout could've/should've done:

1. Tell his Patrol Leader(PL) he has no food.

2. If the PL was not there, then tell the Assistant PL instead.

3. If the problem is not solved, tell his Senior Patrol Leader(SPL) about the problem.

4. If the problem is not solved, tell his Scoutmaster about the problem.

That, as I understand it, is the chain of command to follow and it works great for us as our troop does everything by patrols.

Your description of how your scout was in line to receive food prepared by other boys doesn't match my experiences in scouting. I know some troops do things differently, but meals should be cooked by patrols, not by the troop. A scout in a patrol of 6 boys has a more manageable job of ensuring everyone eats than a scout in a troop of 30 or so.

Adults can function as a separate patrol or eat as guests of scout patrols, but they do not need to wait to eat after all scouts are fed. Scouts can and should feed themselves whether there is an adult there or not.

I'd be interested in hearing how your scout's troop runs their meals. Is it one big pot for the troop or each patrol cooking their own food?

As far as the PB&J in the patrol box, each patrol should plan, purchase, and prepares their own meals and its up to them if they want to have PB&J or not. I don't believe there should be an expectation of alternate food available that is not on the menu.

Your son's patrol (if it is a New Scout Patrol) should have a Troop Guide helping them along and being a resource for advice and assistance.

Now that this has happened, your scout should still follow the chain of command and make sure he takes it as high as necessary to ensure the problem has a solution for next time.

The scout's dad, the ASM, should make sure the Scoutmaster is aware so he can address it as necessary. From your view, it is just one time, but there may be a history of similar situations that the SM is addressing through SM Conferences or training.

Paul

Our pack has an event in June, July, and Aug.

Our den offered a den adventure each month - hikes, bike ride, BBQ, fishing, ... Having an adventure rather than advancement was the goal of these summer outings since many boys would miss them due to family vacations. But, pretty much any activity you do can count for something. :-)

Paul

I'd think the 'EXTRA' means in addition to what he is wearing on the ride to camp. 3 pants and 3 shorts would surely be enough for week camp.

Go with shirts with sleeves instead of tank tops.

If you check out my son's backpack for his week-long summer camp, you'll see plastic bags of clothes - one for each day. He does it that way because the older scouts showed him when he joined and it made sense.

New scouts tend to bring (or get sent with) way too much, but whether there is a lot or a little it makes sense to pack it well.

Pages 224-227 of the Scout Handbook have good info about what clothing to take.

I tend to pack light. For week-long camp, I take:

Pants: long scout, 1 zip-off, swimsuit.

Shirts: 1 scout, 3 Ts, 1 long heavy.

Socks: 6 pair.

Paul

The skills-based activities you mentioned are fine, but there are a lot more 'game' type things you could do that require teamwork, problem-solving, and cooperation. They range from physically challenging to down-right silly fun and having the SPL or PLC choose, plan, and lead a few would be the thing to do.

There's a bunch of patrol activities and games at http://www.boyscouttrail.com/boy-scouts/boy-scout-Activities.asp

And, I believe the outward symbols of a patrol are very important. Scouts with their own flag and emblem on their sleeve demonstrate their identity and comaraderie more - from the patrols I've seen.

Paul

I filled out a form for the Cub Scout World Conservation Award - see http://www.boyscouttrail.com/content/Award/Award-206.asp and link at bottom to PDF application form.

If you mean the Cub Scout Conservation Good Turn Award, you can get a form for that from your local council office or see the link at the bottom of http://www.boyscouttrail.com/content/Award/Award-240.asp

Paul